Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
285. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps being taken to increase investment in battery energy storage systems to enable greater utility of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29958/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBattery Electricity Storage Systems (BESS) are a vital element in Ireland's energy transition. There is now over 800MW of BESS connected to our grid, all of which have been installed since 2019. This capacity is now regularly providing up to 7.5% of our peak demand needs, time shifting renewable capacity and replacing the need to run expensive peaking plant to meet evening demand.
The Government does not directly invest in BESS but supports the development of Electricity Storage Systems through the 10 Government actions outlined in the Electricity Storage Policy Framework published by my Department in 2024. Delivery of these actions, with support from EirGrid, ESBN and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), will enable greater levels of investment into electricity storage and increase the amount of electricity storage in Ireland. In particular, Action 5 of the policy framework which states “Support(s) access to the wholesale electricity markets, arbitrage and revenue stacking for electricity storage systems.”
At present, the following revenues streams are available to electricity storage assets:
• the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism;
• the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS);
• system services contracts via the DS3 programme;
• system operator specific ‘Routes to Market’;
• Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPA’s); and
• better access to all the Wholesale Energy Markets (Arbitrage) via the recently introduced Schedule and Dispatch programme.
Further, a review of the tariff and network charging structure under the direction of the CRU has commenced, with a minded-to decision to remove volumetric (pass-through) charges for electricity storage systems out for public consultation. The removal of volumetric charges is expected to increase the amount of renewable energy incorporated on to the grid by maximising the capacity of electricity storage systems to time shift renewables between periods of oversupply and peak demand times. I have asked CRU to prioritise this work.
